Oil pipeline surveillance company,,

Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) has urged stakeholders, to disregard the campaign of calumny against the company from some individuals with unclear motives.

The company said despite its demonstration of exceptional performance on account of their collective sacrifices to position the country on the path of sustainable economic growth and development, there are some who ambition is to draw the region back.

The company’s General Manager, Community and Government Relations, Dr Akpos Mezeh, who.spoke at the stakeholders’ meeting with oil and gas host communities in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, while acknowledging the right of citizens to freedom of expression, he said such criticism should be exercised responsibly and on the basis of verified facts and credible documentation.

He said, “Allegations should not be presented as established facts, particularly when they concern public expenditure, contractual arrangements or the reputation of individuals and institutions.PINL has no objection to legitimate scrutiny. On the contrary, we welcome appropriate oversight by competent government institutions concerning contractual performance, public expenditure and accountability.

“Where necessary, PINL remains prepared to cooperate fully with lawful reviews and provide relevant information within the limits of our contractual and legal obligations.However, transparency and accountability must go hand in hand with responsibility in public communication.

“As stakeholders in the Niger Delta, we must be careful not to allow unverified figures or allegations to create unnecessary mistrust between communities, traditional institutions, government agencies, contractors and companies responsible for protecting critical national infrastructure.

“Our mandate at PINL is operational and professional. We are committed to the protection of critical oil and gas infrastructure, the safety and security of our operations, and constructive engagement with our host communities and stakeholders.

“Our community engagement is not driven by ethnic, political or personal interests.What we need is facts, dialogue, transparency and accountability.We therefore appeal to our traditional rulers, community leaders, youth representatives, women leaders, the media and all stakeholders to promote responsible public discourse.

Where there are concerns, let us raise them through the appropriate channels, examine the facts and seek constructive solutions.Our collective objective should be to build trust, protect critical infrastructure, sustain production, promote peace and ensure that the people of the Niger Delta benefit from a stable and responsible oil and gas industry.

“Let us disagree where necessary, but let us disagree on the basis of facts. Let us question where there are concerns, but let us also verify before we circulate. And above all, let us protect the trust that is necessary for sustainable development in our communities.”

Speaking further, Mezeh, emphasized that PINL has recorded two months without pipeline vandalism or infractions across its operational areas, a development attributed to improved collaboration among host communities, surveillance personnel, security agencies and industry operators.

He called for sustained cooperation to protect critical infrastructure, maintain peace and promote development in the Niger Delta.

Mezeh said infrastructure could only deliver value when protected, while sustainable production and development depended on peaceful communities and trust among industry operators, government and host communities.

He noted that Nigeria’s oil and gas industry was experiencing renewed growth, stressing that increased production and investments must be supported by effective pipeline security, timely intelligence sharing and constructive community engagement.

Highlighting PINL’s achievements, Mezeh said the company’s surveillance operations provided employment for more than 35,000 youths, while its scholarship programme had awarded over ₦2 billion to more than 1,500 undergraduate and postgraduate students.

He added that PINL maintained relationships with 215 host communities, empowered over 2,000 women along the Trans Niger Pipeline corridor and sustained annual Christmas palliative programmes for communities within its areas of operation.

The PINL official also emphasised the importance of environmental responsibility, youth and women participation, and early reporting of suspicious activities to prevent vandalism, crude oil theft and disruptions to production.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Bayelsa Traditional Rulers Council and King of Ekpetiama Kingdom, King Bubaraye Dakolo, called for greater attention to the environmental consequences of oil and gas operations, even as stakeholders worked to prevent pipeline vandalism.

Dakolo said improved oil and gas production meant increased revenue for Nigeria, but warned that oil spills could devastate communities for decades.

He urged residents to discourage vandalism and activities that could cause spills in their creeks and communities.

However, the monarch called on oil and gas operators to address environmental risks associated with ageing pipelines, abandoned wellheads and continued gas flaring.

He urged PINL to draw the attention of relevant authorities and operators to these hazards and encourage proactive measures to prevent future incidents.

Dakolo stressed that pipeline protection should go beyond preventing sabotage to include addressing infrastructure-related environmental threats and safeguarding host communities.

The IYC immediate and present Presidents, Jonathan Lokpobiri and Doubra Collins Okotete, also call for collaboration rather than division to bring needed development to the region.

They both called for stronger collaboration among host communities, government, industry operators and security agencies to sustain peaceful operations, protect critical infrastructure and promote environmental safety and development across the Niger Delta.